click above image to view new pics of the SSC Ultimate Aero TT's record run
It was made (almost) official last week that Shelby Supercars' Ultimate Aero TT has been crowned the fastest production car in the world by the kind folks at Guinness – after they file the appropriate paperwork. Until now, all we've had are pictures of the 1183 HP, six-liter V8-powered beast looking menacing at speed, but thankfully SSC posted video of the record-breaking run on its site.
It's pure aural bliss, and although the camera work isn't the most compelling, the sound is enough to make you weak in the knees. Click on and enjoy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick @ Sep 19th 2007 1:13PM
All the close-up shots of the road at right angle and the car roaring by for maybe 1 frame make the video suck...
Coleman @ Sep 19th 2007 1:22PM
Bugatti is still the don dada. I like the sound of the Bugatti, as well. Poor video, in this case, doesn't help the SSC either.
Proud Japanese @ Sep 19th 2007 1:50PM
Remember that the top speed of the veyron is actually limited by tires. By now hopefully there tire tech has advanced far enough for veyron to have another go.
mattyp @ Sep 19th 2007 2:06PM
ye i remember when james may tested the buggati's top speed on top gear and it was still pulling steady when it hit 407 kph or whatever it was, a longer road or a salt flat and it might go 260mph???
MikeW @ Sep 19th 2007 3:34PM
Limited by aero drag and hp.
With the 1030-1040hp of the W16, the top speed is ~235mph in handling mode.
another 200hp will be needed for 255mph in handling mode.
The top speed mode is more of a demonstration mode.
Mach 1/4 is a good speed limit for the autobahn.
Mach 1/3 is plenty good for exhibition.
Travis @ Sep 19th 2007 4:06PM
Ok, I'm a bit of a nerd. but I figured it out. on the 'slow' run (254.55Mph) the car was traveling 15.5 feet every frame. (given they used the standard 24 frames a second of film). I think thats officially fast.
James Omdahl @ Sep 19th 2007 4:40PM
As advertised, the sound of that car makes me go crazy...in a good way.
ketel1 @ Sep 19th 2007 4:49PM
did it sound like a jet to anyone else?
studemax @ Sep 19th 2007 5:03PM
I find this far more impressive in sound -
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5954808306165145710&q=burklands&total=1&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
G. Onads @ Sep 19th 2007 5:27PM
Ok it's faster than the Veyron. Big Frickin deal. I'd still rather have the Veyron. It's pure class through and through. Check out the red interior of the Aero. It looks like "pimp my ride" did an old Countach, very spartan needless to say. Bugatti didn't slap on aftermarket wheels like the Aero has, they look like I-Forged. Bugatti also didn't slather sponsor stickers all over their car either. The Aero's web site blows, the photo gallery has some nice cell phone pics if you like 380 x 300 images. There are a few high res images in the press package but you've already seen them on Autoblog.
Matthew Zacherle @ Sep 19th 2007 5:32PM
I agree on every level. The Bugatti (despite the high price tag) is a wonderfully gorgeous vehicle inside and out. and seeing the the whole car adjust the spoiler and the suspension when the special key is in place to reduce drag is a wonderful moment.
Daniel @ Sep 19th 2007 6:44PM
I'm sure SSC would create their own wheels too...if they had a virtually unlimited amount of funding like Bugatti.
Compared to the resources that Bugatti had, you can say that some guy created this Aero in his garage.
The Bugatti is definitely a desirable car, but it's nothing impressive. Impressive is a tiny company beating out a billion dollar company in a top speed contest.
Phillip @ Sep 19th 2007 11:19PM
Wow, you really think they sell the cars with sponsor stickers on it? Wow.... Notice when cars goto make an OFFICIAL top speed run, their typically sponsored up for the event.
Not only that, the Bugatti was made with the skys-the-limit budgeting. The fact that this car is faster, more powerful, simpler, cheaper, and I bet better handling (being that it weighs nearly half that of the Bugatti), is far more of an achievement than Bugatti's. No 4 turbos, 16 cylinders, multitudes of coolers and radiators, and a fancy squat mode. Just a twin turbo Chevy motor in a light weight car, basically. And yet it whoops the Veyron. David vs. Goliath.
Youtube version of the run too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6VxGz83sKk
G. Onads @ Sep 20th 2007 1:37AM
No Phillip, I don't think they sell the car with sponsor stickers on it. Wow. I do think that stickers cheapen the overall appearance of the car as do the aftermarket rims. I have no doubt the car is an incredible machine, I mean it's faster than the Veyron which says a lot. Would you want to drive it several hundred miles at a time? I wouldn't. Top speed records are great but not the ultimate yard stick by which a car is measured, in my opinion anyway. Also I find it hard to believe they couldn't afford custom wheels or at least center caps. Hey everyone has a different opinion of what a car should be. I think Lambo's are ugly cars, fast as hell but still ugly. It's all good.
Zero @ Sep 30th 2007 7:41PM
A Canadian car reviewer took a picture of Pierre Veyron edition of the Bugatti. The odometer has a display of ... 280 mph (450 km/h). As some posters pointed out, tires are one of the factors.
For Daniels, you can't compare the SSC with the Veyron as overall package. The former needs to be intensively tested in different environment, intensive emission requirement such as noise and needs to make sure it is at least reliable on daily usage much like the Veyron did. It won't be surprising the Ultimate Aero will have serious mechanical issues with normal use because of the overstretched V8. It happened with the Koeningsegg when doing Gumball 3000.